The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has spoken on party leadership structures at the state level, with specific reference to Rivers State, during an interview from 16:20 on Channels Television aired on Friday, January 1, 2026.
Professor Yilwatda addressed questions on how leadership authority is structured within the APC across the country. His remarks came in response to a question on the party’s hierarchy in the southern region, particularly Rivers State.
During the interview, the interviewer asked, “let’s take your structure to the south, the southern part of this country. One state in particular, River State. Who is the head of the All Progressives Congress in River State?” Responding, Professor Yilwatda outlined the party’s general approach to leadership at the state level.
He said, “In all the states, we have the state governors.” He explained the role assigned to governors within the party, adding, “They lead their parties in their own respective states.” According to him, this arrangement is a deliberate policy within the APC, stating, “And in APC, we give that privilege to the governors.”
However, the APC chairman noted that the leadership role of governors is guided by internal principles aimed at balancing authority with inclusiveness. He said, “But at the same time, we normally ask the governors where we have leaders at national level to respect inclusion, inclusion in all the states.”
He elaborated further on the concept of leadership within the party, saying, “You being the leader doesn’t mean that you cannot disenfranchise people who are within the state.”
Professor Yilwatda emphasized that the party allows space for participation by other stakeholders, adding, “So we give that room for inclusion.” He then drew a parallel between the role of governors at the state level and his own responsibilities as national chairman.
Describing his position, he said, “Just like I’m the, more or less like a coordinator.” He explained the scope of his duties, stating, “For example, as National Chairman of the party, I only coordinate what’s happening at the local government, at the state levels.”
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